ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Increase In Temperature of Ocean Surface
In the recent decades tropical Indian Ocean has experienced a rapid increase in ocean warming with an average rise in Sea Surface Temperature  of about 1oC over the period of 1951-2015 at a rate of 0.15oC/decade. In addition, a recent study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology , an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has investigated the marine heatwaves. The study shows that the western Indian Ocean had a total of 66 Marine Heat Wave  events while the Bay of Bengal had 94 events during 1982–2018.The western Indian Ocean region experienced a four-fold rise in marine heatwaves events  and the north Bay of Bengal experience a two-to-three fold rise .
In the year 2021, there were 6 marine heatwaves recorded in the western Indian Ocean over a period of 52 days. In the north Bay of Bengal, there were 4 marine heatwaves over a period of 32 days. These heatwaves did not break all previous records but were above normal. The western Indian Ocean heatwaves in 2021 were in the top four years in terms of the number of events.
The monsoon forecast models used by the India Meteorological Department  incorporates the ocean surface temperatures as input data. These forecasts can be used for advance planning and disaster management.
This information was given by the Minister of State  for M/o Earth Sciences and M/o Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Active Caseload of 2.81 lakh now only 2.78% of Total Cases
More than 0.97 Cr Cumulative Recoveries registered
India’s active caseload has further slipped under 3% today, comprising merely 2.78% of the total cases.
The trend of more daily recoveries than the daily cases has led to a continuous contraction of India’s Active Caseload which presently stands at 2,81,919 today.
Continuing with the trend of the last 28 days, India has reported more daily recoveries than the daily new cases during the past 24 hours.
While 23,067 persons in India were found to be COVID positive, 24,661 new recoveries were registered during the same period. This has led to a net decline of 1,930 cases from the total Active Caseload in the last 24 hours.
India continues to have one of the lowest cases per million population in the world  much lower than many other countries of the Western Hemisphere. The global average of cases per million population is 9,931.
The Recovery Rate has improved to 95.77% today. The cumulative recovered cases stand at 0.97 cr . The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases is steadily increasing and presently stands at 94,35,915.
75.86% of the new recovered cases are contributed by ten States/UTs.
Kerala leads with 4,801 persons recovering from COVID while Maharashtra recorded 3,171 recoveries. West Bengal registered another 2,054 daily recoveries.
Ten States/UTs have contributed 77.38% of the new cases.
Kerala reported 5,177 cases in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra registered another 3,580 new cases yesterday while West Bengal recorded 1,590 new cases.
336 case fatalities that have been reported in the past 24 hours. 81.55% of them are from Ten States/UTs.
26.48% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra which reported 89 deaths. Delhi also saw a fatality count of 37 while West Bengal reported 32 new deaths.
When compared globally, India has one of the lowest case fatalities per million population . India’s Case Fatality Rate is 1.45% presently.
Department of Space
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh says, a number of initiatives are taken to make India the global leader in space science and technology
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said, a number of initiatives are taken to make India the global leader in space science and technology.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said Technology development projects are going on in ISRO centres spanning the areas of scientific instrumentation, communication, navigation, remote sensing etc. Moreover, Disruptive technologies based on quantum mechanical principle which includes satellite based quantum communication, quantum radar have been initiated.
The Minister said, initiatives have been taken for the exploration of space weather, the sun, the moon and the other planets as well as astronomical sources. He said, a decadal plan is under preparation covering scientific and technological development for future space missions.
On the issue of ISRO’s plan to develop an Indian Space Telescope, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that ISRO has already realized X-ray and Visible/ Ultra Violet telescope. In the coming years ISRO has plans to develop space telescopes dedicated for UV and visible/IR astronomy. The planned UV telescope will be made up of a 1 meter mirror and will provide the deepest images in UV.
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Prime Minister's Office
Ministry of Defence approves 4th Positive Indigenisation List of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units/Sub-systems/Spares & Components
PM calls it a positive development for the defence sector
In a tweet, Union Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh has informed that 4th Positive Indigenisation List  of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units /Sub-systems/Spares & Components has been approved. The list includes high-end materials & spares, with import substitution value worth Rs 715 crore.
Responding to the tweet by Shri Rajnath Singh, the Prime Minister said;
“A positive development for the defence sector. This will add strength to our resolve towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and encourage local entrepreneurial talent.”
More details can be found here;
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1923971
Ministry of Steel
Various steps to boost export competitiveness
Government has taken various steps to boost export competitiveness in Steel sector. These are as under:
 Export promotion schemes like Merchandise Exports from India Scheme , Market Access Initiative, Export Promotion Council, Advance Authorization, Export Promotion of Capital Goods  etc.
 Maintaining very low import duty on critical inputs like coking coal, iron ore, steel scrap, nickel etc.
 Promoting multi model logistics and enhancing use of inland waterways and coastal shipping to reduce logistics cost.
 Allocation of captive iron ore mines and focus on steel clusters to help steel sector become more competitive for enhanced exports.
The details of consumption of total finished steel  in India during current year i.e. April-August, 2020 and the corresponding period of last year are as following:-
|
|
Item
|
|
Total Finished Steel 
|
|
April- August
2020|
|
April- August 2019 
|
|
% change|
|
Consumption
|
|
26.41
|
|
42.54
|
|
-37.9
|
|
Source: Joint Plant Committee Report; mt=million tonnes;Provisional
As the availability of total finished steel during April-August, 2020 has also decreased as indicated below, the decline in demand has not led to a surplus:-
|
|
Item
|
|
Total Finished Steel availability  from April- August 2020|
|
a) Total Production
|
|
29.05
|
|
b) Imports
|
|
1.67
|
|
c) Exports
|
|
5.68
|
|
Availability 
|
|
25.04
|
|
Source: Joint Plant Committee Report; mt=million tonnes;Provisional
As Steel is a de-regulated sector, Steel companies take their own decisions based on commercial considerations and market dynamics, both for domestic as well as overseas trade.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles passing away of Shri AM Ahmadi, Former Chief Justice of India
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the passing away of former Chief Justice of India, Shri AM Ahmadi.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Pained by the passing away of former Chief Justice of India, Shri AM Ahmadi Ji. He had a distinguished career as a lawyer and a Judge. He made a noteworthy contribution towards making our judiciary more effective. Condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”
Ministry of Textiles
Restructuring of Central Silk Board Units
In accordance with decision of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs , Central Silk Board  is rightsizing its branches by relocating/merging/closing their activities. A Committee was constituted at CSB during 2018-19 to address the issues related to restructuring/multitasking of the CSB units through relocation/merger and closure of field units to right size the number of units and thereby staff.
As on 01.09.2019, 112 CSB units have been merged/relocated/closed in different states based on recommendations of the Committee and inputs received from the Directors of Research and Development  institutes of CSB and at present, 176 branches of CSB are functioning.
However, on closure of the CSB field units, their activities are being continued as detailed below:
- Most of the extension field units functioning for over ten years in the said places, have already demonstrated the required technologies in sericulture sector and the farmers are well versed in technologies and require minimum extension support. However, where the Extension support is required the same has been undertaken by State Sericulture Departments’ extension machinery under the technical supervision of CSB.
- CSB research institutes are committed to extend required support in technology dissemination and other support to build capacity of states’ Extension Personnel, as and when required through its Capacity Building & Training  programme.
- Seed supply as per mandate of CSB is being met from the nearby CSB units.
Measures adopted by Government of India through CSB for increasing production of silk and to impart skills are given below:
Silk Production:
- CSB has been implementing a restructured Central Sector Scheme Silk Samagra for development of sericulture in the Country, which mainly focuses on improving production, quality and productivity of silk to meet the domestic requirement and thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported silk.
- Under North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme , 38 sericulture projects are being implemented in North Eastern States to increase silk production in these states.
- Besides, CSB and State Governments mobilize additional funds for sericulture development through convergence by availing the schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act , Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana .
- With the above interventions, the raw silk production has reached to 35,470 MT and is expected to reach 38500 MT by 2019-20.
Skill Development:
- Central Silk Board under Capacity Building and Training activities of Central Sector Scheme Silk Samagra, organizes various training programmes for the stakeholders across the country. These programmes focus on skill upgradation in silk sector so as to create employment opportunities and increase income level of the existing entrepreneurs by adopting improved package.
- Under NERTPS farmers have been imparted training under orientation programme.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, in written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
SECI Awards 100 MW Solar Contract with Battery Project in Chhattisgarh
Solar Energy Corporation of India  has awarded a contract for setting up a 100 MW  solar with 40 MW/120 MWh Battery Energy Storage System  project to be set up at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The project, with one of the largest grid-connected BESS projects in the country, will demonstrate how, by using a large battery storage system like BESS, solar power can be used to provide clean solar energy during evening peak hours. The contract has been awarded to M/s Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd.
The project, supported by the World Bank, SECI’s internal resources & domestic loans, is key to a line of innovative Renewable Energy  projects planned by SECI. This is expected to boost market confidence and catalyze further investments in the sector to enable India achieve its commitments towards a Net-Zero economy.
The contract was signed by officials of TATA Power and SECI in the presence of Smt. Suman Sharma, Managing Director, SECI, as well as directors and senior officials of SECI and World Bank officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Suman Sharma said that this will give further push to achieving India's Climate commitments. We will work together to make RE the mainstay of our energy production , she added.
Solar Energy Corporation of India , a Schedule-A CPSU under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is engaged in promoting and development various RE resources, especially solar and wind energy, RE-based storage systems, floating solar, trading of power, consultancy as well as emerging areas such as green Hydrogen, green Ammonia, Waste to Energy, RE-powered electric vehicles, etc. SECI is an implementing agency for many RE schemes of the Government of India, such as Viability Gap Funding schemes, tariff-based tenders for development of RE projects, solar parks etc.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore approves Upward Revision of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons
In a major step for the welfare of Sportspersons, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore has approved the upward revision of pension to meritorious Sportspersons. Under the revision, the rate of pension has been doubled of the existing rate of pension on winning medals in international sports events. The new rates of pension are as follows: -
|
|
Category of meritorious pension
|
|
Amount in Rs.
|
|
Medallist at the Olympic/Para-Olympic Games
|
|
Rs.20,000/-
|
|
Gold medallist at World Cup/World Championship 
|
|
Rs.16,000/-
|
|
Silver/Bronze medallist at World Cup/World Championship 
Gold medallist in Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/Para Asian Games
|
|
Rs.14,000/-
|
|
Silver and Bronze medallist in Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/Para Asian Games
|
|
Rs.12,000/-
- The rate of pension of medal winners in the Para-Olympics Games and Para Asian Games will be at par with the medal winners in the Olympic Games and Asian Games respectively.
- World Championships held once in four years will only be considered for pension.
- It is highlighted in the revised scheme that the sportsperson should retire from active sports career and attaining the age of 30 years at the time of applying pension under the scheme. An undertaking to this effect will be given by the sportsperson in the application form itself and the same has also been confirmed from SAI while forwarding application for verification of achievements of the applicant.
- In the case of existing pensioners, the revision in rate of pension will be effective from 1st April 2018.
Ministry of Defence
35TH EDITION OF HYDERABAD SAILING WEEK
35th edition of Hyderabad Sailing Week Yachting Association of India  Sailing Championshiporganised at Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad from 13 Aug to 19 Aug 21. This national ranking event witnessed 120 sailors from all over India participating in Laser Standard, 4.7 and Radial class of boats. Nine members from Navy Sailing Team based at INWTC Mumbai, five members from INWTC Visakhapatnam and six boys of Navy Boys Sports Company from INS Mandovi participated in Laser 4.7 class of boat and gave tough competition. This National event in the Laser Class of boats - which is an Olympic class, for both men and women, is being conducted regularly since 1986.
The closing ceremony held in the presence of YAI President Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh. He inspired and motivated the boys and wished them good luck for future sailing championships.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Cruise tourism has huge potential for development and generating employment: Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya
Huge potential for further development of cruise tourism exists in the country, said Minister of State  for Shipping Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, here today. The Minister was briefing mediapersons onboard the Costa Victoria, a foreign cruise ship having capacity of carrying 2400 passengers, that has arrived at the Mumbai port today. The Minister said, cruise tourism can become a major source of employment because of its labour-intensive nature. Shri Mandaviya remarked that, today 2.30 lakh Indian seafarers are serving in the global shipping industry. Hence, the Centre is facilitating growth in this sector by way of creating synergy between the various stakeholders of this industry like cruise companies, tour operators immigration and customs department and so on, said the Minister.
Stating that the number of foreign cruises home-porting in India has significantly gone up in the past few years, Shri Mandaviya added, the Union Government has taken measures to attract foreign cruises to the country. Guaranteed berths to cruise ships, removal of ousting charges, e-visa and visa on arrival facilities, exemption of biometrics for 3 years for ease of travel, single e-landing card, upgradation and modernization of all cruise terminals have boosted the industry.
The Minister said, the Centre is focusing on developing both coastal as well as inland waterways so that cruise tourism can thrive well. The Government has also identified tourist circuits for this purpose. In Maharashtra, Tarkarli, Murud Janjira and Ganpatipule are being seen as major destinations for development of cruise tourism.
The Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust, Shri Sanjay Bhatia was also present on the occasion. Shri Bhatia informed, coastal traffic in Indian ports have significantly increased in the last four years.
Ministry of Steel
Union Steel Minister underlines that Steel Consumption will continue to Increase due to various Schemes and Gatishakti Master Plan; Mission to Develop Secondary Steel Sector is in the Making
Ministry of Steel had an interactive session with steel companies based in Odisha. The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh chaired the meeting which saw the participation of officials of steel companies based in Odisha. Concerns of the industry were put forward by representatives from the companies which included a better environment for the industry especially on finance, logistics, environment, support for the small-scale industries in the sector.
Speaking during the session the Minister lauded the government and the people of Odisha for taking lot of strides in development. Through institutions like the World Skill Centre, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha government has rightly focused on skill development which is the need of the hour. The Minister further stated that steel consumption will continue to increase due to the various programmes and schemes of the government, such as Gatishakti Master Plan, in which the contribution of secondary steel sector will be very high. A mission to develop the secondary steel sector is in the making, he said.
Ministry officials emphasised that the Government has been actively taking all efforts to address the concerns of the steel industry and welcomed inputs and comments on specific issues hindering the sector, especially the secondary steel companies.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Giriraj Singh releases 2nd Edition of newsletter “Matsya Sampada” along with a comprehensive Beneficiary Booklet on Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to reach out to fishermen and fish farmers
The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Giriraj Singh today released the 2nd edition of the newsletter “Matsya Sampada” and a Beneficiary Booklet on Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  which provides a comprehensive outline of the different components/activities of the PMMSY scheme and modalities of submission of the proposals, which would be a valuable resource for fishermen and other stakeholders in the sector. Shri Giriraj Singh expressed confidence that this “Beneficiary Booklet of the PMMSY” will act as an all-inclusive guide to all the beneficiaries and stakeholders in assisting them in knowing the modalities of availing the benefits from the PMMSY and also serve as an indispensable tool to the beneficiaries in knowing about different activities of the PMMSY.
PMMSY aims to enhance fish production to 220 lakh tons by 2024-25. This is a media outreach plan of the Department of Fisheries to reach out to fishermen and fish farmers of India. Shri Giriraj Singh reiterated that the ambitious scheme will result in doubling export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crores and generate about 55 lakhs direct and indirect employment opportunities in fisheries sector over a period of next five years.
Click here to view the Newsletter in English
Click here to view the Newsletter in Hindi
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Financial performance of BHEL
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.  has reported profit in each of the last 3 years  as follows:
Amount in Rs. Crore
|
|
BHEL: Standalone Results
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
Profit Before Tax 
|
|
628
|
|
1,585
|
|
2,058
|
|
Profit After Tax 
|
|
496
|
|
807
|
|
1,215
The Government has appointed 2 Government Nominee Directors and 4 Independent Directors who are in place on the Board of BHEL  who actively contribute in overseeing the Company’s strategic direction, reviewing and monitoring corporate performance, ensuring regulatory compliance and Corporate Governance, and safeguarding the interests of the shareholders.
Further, the working and performance of BHEL is reviewed by the Department of Heavy Industry  on a regular basis. DHI also assists the Company in the achievements of its plan through advisories/ suggestions, suitable inter-ministerial interventions and taking up its issues with other Govt. Agencies/ Departments/ Ministries and Customers on case to case basis.
This information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Arvind Ganpat Sawant, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
Ministry of Coal
Details of Coal Reserves in India
As per the Inventory of India published by GSI for Coal and Lignite as on 01.04.2021, the total assessed geological coal resource is 352125.97 million tonnes.
The cumulative coal production since 1950 up to 2020-21 is 17,297.94 million tonne as per Coal Controller, Ministry of Coal, Government of India. As per present rate of demand/consumption of coal there is sufficient resources of coal in India. Every year CMPDI is adding about 4000-6000 MT of proved resources in the coal inventory of India. There is no threat of coal resources for future coal demand in our country at present rate of extraction / demand.
Total quantity of coal imported in the country during the last five years, year-wise is as under:-

|
|
Year
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
Coal Import
|
|
190.953
|
|
208.249
|
|
235.348
|
|
248.537
|
|
215.251
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.